Cork retainer for vacuum bottles and the like



J. H. HERRMANN CORK RETAINER FOR VACUUM BOTTLES AND THE LIKE F iled Nov. 7, 1934 INVENTOR. Jojepfi ##9/0775/7/7 2 a ATTORNEY.

Patented Aug. 11, 1936 CORK RETAINER FOR VACUUM BOTTLES AND THE LIKE Joseph Henry Herrmann," Oakland, Calif. Application November 7, 1934, Serial No. 751,842

Claims. (Cl. 215-83) The invention relates to devices used in connection with a vacuum or thermostatic bottle or the like for maintaining thecork or other closure for the bottle in seated closed position when the bottle parts are operatively assembled.

Considerable diificulty has been encountered in'providing a closure for vessels such as a vacuum bottle which will remain tightly sealed in thevessel when the same is subjected to jars or vibrations. As will be understood, any loosening of the closure in a thermal type of bottle is of more than usual importance by reason of the use of the bottle for preserving the contents therein in a hot or a cold condition for long periods of time and any slight loosening of the closure permits a thermal communication of the contents with the exterior of the bottle. A principal object of my invention therefore is to provide a means for positively retaining the cork or similar closure of vacuum bottles and the like against loosening from a tightly sealed closure position in the bottle.

In carrying out my invention, I prefer to utilize the usual threaded cup shaped cap provided on the vacuum bottle or the like as a support for my cork retaining device and as an important feature of my invention, I provide for a swivel engagement between the cap and cork retaining means so as to permit free and unrestricted turning of the cap to secure the same in position or to remove the same from the bottle without incurring any frictional or abrasive action between the means and cap.

A further object of my invention is to provide a device of the character described which will have a simplified and improved type of connection between the cork closure for the bottle and the means for retaining the cork in closed position.

The invention possesses other objects and features of advantage, some of which, with the foregoing, will be set forth in the following description of the preferred form of the invention which is illustrated in the drawing accompanying and forming part of the specification. It is to be understood, however, that variations in the showing made by the said drawing and description may be adopted within the scope of the invention as set forth in the claims.

Referring to said drawing:

Figure 1 is a fragmentary side elevation of a vacuum bottle having the end thereof broken away and shown in section to illustrate the closure retaining means of my invention.

Figure 2 is a fragmentary cross sectional view of the vacuum bottle shown in Figure l and is taken substantially on the plane of the line 2-2 of Figure 1.

Figures 3, 4 and 5 are plan views of one of the parts of the retainer assembly and illustrates 5 the successive bending of portions of the member to obtain the same in its final arrangement.

Figure 6 is an exploded perspective view of the closure retainer means.

Referring more particularly to the drawing,

the means 7 of my invention is here shown in combination with a vacuum bottle 8 having a cork closure 9 arranged for insertion into the open neck iii of the bottle and provided with the usual inverted cup "shaped cap H which is arranged for positioning over the top of the bottle and for threaded connection with the outer side thereof. In the present arrangement, the means 7 comprises, in part, a helical spring l2 which is arranged to be pressed from the under side l3 of the cap II against the top M of the cork 9.

As an important feature of my arrangement, I have provided for a means of connection between the spring !2 and the under side l3 of the cap which while supporting and urging the spring in the direction of the cork, at the same time permits of a free relative rotation between the cap member and spring without incurring any abrasive action against the under side l3 of the cap. As here shown, the immediate contact between the cap and the spring is afforded by a disc member it which has a swivel connection with the top of the spring 12. As may be best seen from Figures 1 and 2, the disc I6 is provided with a depressed perforated center portion I? which carries in countersunk relation to the upper surface thereof a rivet l8 which extends through the disc to the under side thereof and engages thereat the upper end of the spring [2 which for the purpose of such engagement is preferably reduced in diameter towards the upper end thereof. Thus while the rivet l8 prevents the disc member and spring against endwise loosening, the same provides for free rotation of the disc relative to the spring 82 and together with the under side l3 of the cap.

On the other hand, the opposite end 2! of the spring is fixedly secured to the cork 9 and held against relative rotation thereto and is associated therewith generally as an effective one piece unit. The means for so associating the spring and cork here comprises an anchor plate 22 for securing to the spring and which is fixedly held on the top M of the cork by means of a screw 23. As may be best seen from Figures 3 to 6,

the anchor plate is provided with lugs 25 for engaging over the lower coil of the spring and clamping the same to the plate and is further formed with a transverse fold 24 which serves to draw together opposed portions 26 of the lugs for entry thereof into side grooves 21 formed 1 in the head 28 of the screw. In accordance with the present arrangement, the plate 22 may be formed from a blank of sheet. metal as shown in Figure 3 by a process whichifirst involves bending the lugs 25 from a center portion of -the blank into superimposed position thereover, and.

then pressing the fold 24 from the sides of the blank so as to draw the inner foldedfextremities I of the lugs together and into the screw slots. aforesaid. As will be noted from. these figures, the center portion of. the blank is relatively open so as to space the folds 24 aadistancesufilcient.

to straddle the lower end 2| of the spring and... to in this manner serve to center the spring over- 2. For usewithv a vacuum-- bottle or the like" having an open end and a cork: arrangedfor 35.

mounting on said bottle in spaced relation over saidiendand cork, a spring arrangedto be com-- pressed betweenrsaid cap'and cork' for pressing the latter into its seat, a disc'shaped member" weengaging between said'spring and cap and pro- ""vided with a depressed perforated center portidh, and a rivet countersunk in said portion and rotatably carried by said disc member and. secured'to said spring.

seating in said: end and awcap arranged for 3. For; use-with a vacuum bottle or. the: likehavinguanopen. end and a. cork arrangedsfor' seating in said end and a cap arranged for enclosing in spaced relation said end and cork, a spring arranged for mounting between said cap and cork for urging the latter to a seated position, means for securing said spring to said cork comprising, a plate provided with a pair of lugs arranged for engaging the end of said spring, a screw mounted in said cork and provided with a slotted head, and folds formed in said plate for drawing portions of said lugs into the slots in said head.

4. For use with a vacuum bottle or the like having an open end and a cork arranged for seatingjn said endand a cap arranged for enclosingain spaced relation said end and cork, a helical spring, arranged for mounting between said cap and cork for urging the latter to a seated-position in said end, means for securing said spring to said cork comprising, a plate formed with an open center portion and provided with a pair of lugs, on opposite sides. of saidopenzportion arrangedfor engaging: overi' end coil'ofsaid spring; a screw mounted'in said: cork and provided with a slotted head, andfolds: formed in said platev for. drawing portions of? said lugs into the slots in said-head.

5; For use with a vacuum. bottle or the likehaving an open end and acork arranged for seating in said end and a cap1arranged-forJen=- closing in spaced relation said end and cork, an helicalv spring arranged for mounting between". said cap. and cork for urging the latter to: a... seated position in saidend,.means for securing. said spring to said cork comprising, a;plate..

formed with an open center portion and providedwith a-pair of lugszon-opposite. sides ofsaid open portion arranged; for:- engaging overs the end coil of said spring,.a screw mountediirn said cork and provided Witha slottedheadand folds formed in said plate at opposite sidessof. said center'portion for drawing portions of said: lugsinto the slots in said head;.and said folds being spaced to straddle andcenter the end. of said spring.

J OSEPH HERRM'ANN. 

